30 March 2012

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, along with other members of the Royal Family, attended a Service of Thanksgiving in memory of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, which was held in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, followed by a Reception at Windsor Castle.

29 March 2012

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh undertook several engagements, including visits to Valentines Park and Mansion, Waltham Forest, and Harrow.

Sometimes people ask me if the Queen ever takes her coat off (yes, sometimes) and if so, what happens to the brooch - well, here you go: it usually gets transferred to the dress underneath. (Unless you've stumbled across a time when she's actually got two brooches on, that is.)

27 March 2012

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, received loyal addresses from Privileged Bodies at Buckingham Palace in honor of her Diamond Jubilee.

This is just one of those gloriously old school (and by old school, I mean centuries old school) things that’s so unique to a monarchy like this: there are certain organizations – the ‘Privileged Bodies’ - that have long held the right to address Her Majesty and receive a response. They typically save their addresses for an important public occasion.

One of many wedding gifts received by Princess Elizabeth for her 1947 marriage to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, this gold brooch was given by the Jewelers and Silversmiths of Great Britain. It was described on the official wedding list as "a gold lace-work brooch set with diamonds and rubies," which is obviously where the name I'm using for the piece is pulled from.

As I suppose is appropriate for a gift given by an organization of jewelry craftsmen, this is an intricate brooch with plenty of fine detailing. It obviously appealed to the bride, as she still wears it regularly more than 60 years later.

20 March 2012

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, received Addresses from both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall in commemoration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Her Majesty was pleased to reply.

The Collar and Badge of the Order of the British Empire, worn over the Mantle

The Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry founded in 1917 by King George V. The gold collar has plaques of the Royal Arms alternating with plaques of the Royal and Imperial Cypher of George V. Between these elements are gold cords with lions and crowns depicted. Suspended from the collar is the badge, a blue cross with a center showing King George and Queen Mary surrounded by the Order's motto, "For God and the Empire", in red. Click here to see the Queen's collar at the Royal Collection.

The Mantle

Both the collar and the badge are worn by The Queen at the service of the Order, held every four years at St. Paul's Cathedral. For this service, The Queen also wears the mantle, a robe of rose red satin lined with pearl gray silk taffeta with the Star of the Order on the left breast. There are gray cords with pink and gray tassels to close mantle, and the collar is suspended between two white shoulder bows. As Sovereign of the Order, The Queen's mantle is different, including a longer train.

Like much of the Queen's personal jewel collection, these diamond earrings are a bit of a mystery. Featuring cluster of diamonds in a diamond surround, the Queen has worn these a few times for formal occasions.

01 March 2012

The Queen, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge, visited Picadilly and opened the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason.

While the Queen wore a standard brooch for this St. David’s Day visit, the Duchess of Cornwall went officially Welsh with the leek badge of the Welsh Guards. And just to be fair, the Duchess of Cambridge also went the Welsh route, with a fresh daffodil instead of a proper brooch.